firewns wrote: “I see vinnana as occurring at least three times within a single PS cycle.”
You are quite right. You have thought about this carefully! Paticca Samuppada can be analyzed in great detail.
You may also want to read the post: “Difference Between Tanhā and Upādāna“.
Also think about how different types of bhava (and jati) arise due to one’s own sankhara (which of course lead to corresponding vinnana). That understanding is very important.
“Gati to Bhava to Jāti – Ours to Control”
P.S. In fact, this is one way to get rid of Sakkaya Ditthi and to attain the Sotapanna stage.
– There is no “soul” or “attā” or have an “ātma”, but only a form of living being (satvā) arising due to (abhi)sankhara. When one truly comprehends that, one would have removed Sakkaya Ditthi.
– Apunna abhisankhara lead to a satvā in the apayas.
– Punna abhisankhara lead to a satvā in the “realms of human, deva, and rupavacara brahma”.
– Anenja abhisankhara lead to a satvā in the “realms of arupavacara brahma”.
– When one cultivates the Noble Path, one’s panna will grow and would be optimum at the Arahant stage. Then one one would not do any more abhisankhara. Of course, an Arahant would still do sankhara until the death of the physical body.